I think you did the right thing, and I agree with the suggestions of an adolescent or young adult cat when you’re ready. My younger daughter, who was 17 at the time, picked out a 10 month old cat as her first pet (that she had chosen), and now they’re inseparable. Autumn hangs around the kitchen door looking mournful whenever my daughter is away overnight. Heaven knows how we’ll all survive the trauma when my daughter goes to college next year!

As for animals, humans, and adoption… I AM an adoptive parent, of two children who were not infants when they came to us, and very involved in the adoption community, and I can honestly and wholeheartedly say that sometimes adoptions don’t work out. A good friend of mine ended up adopting a sixth child when her first parents just couldn’t cope and disrupted the adoption. It was probably the best decision for all concerned.

I truly believe that the responsible thing, whether we’re talking about humans or pets, is to do your best, but acknowledge what you can’t handle and find a good home or temporary placement if necessary.

Oh, cool, I’m adopted myself (though I was adopted as an infant…the arrangements were made before I was actually born if I’m not mistaken).

The kitten does sound too young, The best time to get a kitten is about 8 weeks old, by then its already weaned, independent, cuddly, cute, potty trained, fits in your hands like a furry glove….did I mention cute.
When I adopted our kitten, the first thing I asked was its age.
I suggest doing a little reading about cats in general so you would know what to expect.
Pets and people do need to “click” to actually work so don’t feel bad about returning it.

That kitten was absolutely adorable, and it is flattering when somebody needs you so much. I knew I couldn’t give that kitten what it needed which was constant attention and reassurance. I understand that she was very young which is why I feel so bad that they took it away from it’s mother too soon. If I had been the only option for that kitten then believe that I would not have turned my back on it. But this worked out better for both parties, the kitty gets mommy back and I get some sleep.

I will say that I do miss that little kitty though. I remember this morning when she peeped up at me from under a table and then came running to me to rub against my ankles. That kind of affection is heartwarming.

Maybe it goes without saying, but I did not read that the kitten was cuddled. If the baby had been picked up and cuddled, I’m pretty sure it would have stopped crying and started purring.. The claws of kittens are not really that sharp. They curl up into little fuzz balls when happy.

I’ve rasied a few kittnens in my time and what is fun for a cat person is cuddling with them and playing with them. Then they eat a little, poop a little and fall into a deep sleep—-literally, often right where they were sitting. Of course, close contact with a cat to me is very satisfying.

I’d love to hear that a shelter or rescue cat found a good home. but it seems like it would be a bother. They make noise, they try hard to get attention to be fed, to play, to interact. If they don’t like the litter box, and if it is not cleaned daily, they will choose somewhere else in the house. They will have hairballs even with short hair. There are products that remove the odor of accidents.

They are companions, not something to put in a closet when they annoy.What a insensitive thing to do to a baby that is just trying to get what it needs. That is solitary confinement which even humans don’t like much. It is very bad for brain development and socializing.

They will demand affection when they want it and ignore you when they don’t. .They will sit on your computer and shed everywhere and claw the door jamb or the chair if they don’t have a clawing post. Declawing is cruel and illegal in some places. They are living and emotional creatures. So I’m thinking a cat for a pet at this time is not a good idea. .Fish seem perfect for a person who doesnt want to cuddle or have any interaction outside of a container. I’ve had some very friendly shubunkins. But they do like company of other fish.

I was also working online when I adopted my current cat (as a kitten). I THOUGHT I was getting a quiet, aloof kitten based on her behavior in the shelter, but turned out she’d been “in disguise.” Once home, she was just as active and inquisitive as any other kitten ... and needy for attention.

So, I’d stick her in the top of my shirt, and she’d happily go to sleep.

Unfortunately, she grew out of the need to cuddle and is just as aloof as I had expected her to be.

Pity that, because sometimes > I < want to cuddle!

IceScribe - 20 October 2012 01:34 AM

Maybe it goes without saying, but I did not read that the kitten was cuddled. If the baby had been picked up and cuddled, I’m pretty sure it would have stopped crying and started purring.. The claws of kittens are not really that sharp. They curl up into little fuzz balls when happy.

I’m glad that things worked out for you and the kitten, romance. It’s tough having a very very young cat suddenly thrust upon you. It sounds like you did the right thing for you and the kitten. I hope that you have more luck next time around

I can remember the dim dark days when I first got my (now 11 year old) cat. I didn’t sleep for about 3 weeks because I had no where else to put her. She kept sleeping on my head, and it really isn’t fun waking up with fur balls. Kitten claws are sharp, but kitten teeth are needles - she bit right through my thumb once - scared her more than it hurt me though! She’s the sweetest thing now - sleeps most of the time and still likes a game. She’s super gentle with kids too - you can teach cats to mouth rather than bite and not to use those sharp claws either.

Was interesting reading this and seeing your journey, and the opinions of others.

Again I’m late to the party. But it’s time for the grump to weigh-in on dogs, cats and people who give pets.

I like cats more than dogs. I’ve had several cats but only one that I really liked.

I grew up with dogs. Our family had three medium size dogs over the years (Pitbull, collie, mutt). All three were good indoor/outdoor dogs but we lived in a small community with lots of free-running land (fields & woods) behind the house where they could chase rabbits, cows & skunks and attack (unsuccessfully) porcupines. They could run through mud, stands of burdock & other spiky seeds, and roll in carrion. I can’t imagine trying to raise a happy dog in a city. Right now I live in a small apartment in a house where the occupants of the rest of the house have two dogs that are always either in the house or tied up out back. They make me very unhappy with their barking everytime they hear me using the bathroom :-(

OK, enough on dogs. As much as I loved my cats. I would not want to go through raising a kitten again. The claws, the climbing of pants, drapes and shins. The hair gets everywhere. And then there are your friends who can’t come over anymore because of their allergies to cat dander. The smell of the litterbox isn’t bad if you tend it everyday but you’re still dealing with the scattered grains and the thought that there are poop & pee molecules floating around in the air.

Be wary of people who want to give you a kitten (or cat). Their motives are not altruistic. There is some reason they want to get rid of it.

I’m retired. I live alone I have very few visitors so I’ve had several people try to give me a kitten to “fill my life”. No thank you! I’m old enough to know I’m not a pet person and I’m very very happy knowing that nothing will get moved, broken, clawed, chewed, or pooped on unless I do it myself. 8-o

Signature

I’m sooo confused… I’ve come to grasp a little of the nature of reality and the answer to life, the universe, and everything. I even have an inkling as to who and what I am. Auuummmmm… But please, please, who the hell are you? And why are you trampling my roses?
—————-
All scientific and philosophical inquiries into reality, ultimately must face the nature of consciousness.

The city I live in is very dog friendly, it’s not hard to do. There are plenty of places to take the dog, lots of events and even a baseball game once a year.

Sometimes people pick the wrong breeds for their lifestyle, their living space and often don’t realize the needs of the animal. for example a collie is not an apartment dog by any means. And they need to be very active, and the owner needs to be active with it and give the dog things to dog regularly.

My dogs stay in the house most of the time, but they are barnyard dogs and that’s plenty of space for them. We have a fenced yard for a bit of running around when I am watching them. I never leave my dogs out alone, its not wise. But that’s a different story. I got my dogs when i lived in an apartment, I think i was still in my one-bedroom apartment. Being small dogs they can run around the apartment and keep each other exercised and entertained. now that we are in a house they run room to room sometimes.

For those who only want medium sized breeds (or even some large breeds) an apartment is doable, but they need to take the dogs out on long walks daily. And hikes and things like that. A lot of folks think they will do this, but then don’t after they get the animal and life kicks in. So really i don’t recommend it myself, large breeds in a small apartment isn’t all that fun most of the time.

I knew a few neighbors that were very good with giving their dogs tons of attention and exercise, had golden retrievers in a 2 bedroom apartment, but took the dog just about everywhere when she could.

They make litter for kittens with small granules, it’s easier on their little paws. Kittens have lots of energy, interactive toys will keep them busy for a long time - things like mouse toys that make noise, toys that are on elastic that will snap back and move around, motorized toys, etc.

I tend to disagree there. We bought our 2 quite a few toys, the only ones that they really liked were the soft foam balls. Apart from that their favourite toys are pieces of string, a plant label they found, sweet wrappers, bubble wrap, tinfoil rolled up in a ball, odd shoe laces, and anything else that can nick when we are not looking.

I tend to disagree there. We bought our 2 quite a few toys, the only ones that they really liked were the soft foam balls. Apart from that their favourite toys are pieces of string, a plant label they found, sweet wrappers, bubble wrap, tinfoil rolled up in a ball, odd shoe laces, and anything else that can nick when we are not looking.

I agree with that. You really don’t need to purchase any toys. It seems they have plenty of fun with a speck of dust and any other thing they can find. We do have a few toys lying around and they occasionally play with them, but no more than with carpet fiber.

I tend to disagree there. We bought our 2 quite a few toys, the only ones that they really liked were the soft foam balls. Apart from that their favourite toys are pieces of string, a plant label they found, sweet wrappers, bubble wrap, tinfoil rolled up in a ball, odd shoe laces, and anything else that can nick when we are not looking.

Like a young child at Christmas… ignore the toy and play in the box. Alexa had this large heavy cardboard box that I had from a shipment, and for the longest time, it dominated part of the common area of the house. She made it her “world of the day” until it finally succumbed to age (and abuse), and she outgrew “playhouses”

Kendall

Signature

Any opinions expressed in this post are those of Kendall Sears and may, or may not, be more, or less, valid than any other opinion.

The contents of this post are intended for the DAZ forum only, do not re-post any portion to any other forum without his permission.

We have a $150 six foot tall cat tree house and none of the cats (2 adults and 1 kitten) use it except the baby, but all she seems to do with it is use the top level for her bed. Well I guess she does go nuts in it sometimes.